Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary Loan is a service provided to FHSU faculty, staff, and students who need access to materials that are not owned by Forsyth Library or that are physically located in Forsyth that you need access to from a distance.
Login to ILL Create ILL Account ILLiad FAQs
Use the buttons above to access the ILLiad platform to make a request and retrieve interlibrary loan deliveries. First time users will need to create an account.
Forgot your password? Contact iloan@fhsu.edu.
Before You Make a Request
- You can request items for research purposes that are not owned by Forsyth Library.
- Make sure to first check our Library Catalog to see if we have a copy of the title you need.
- If an item we own appears to be missing, report it to library staff. You can then submit an ILLiad request.
Requesting Materials
What Can I Borrow through ILL?
FHSU students, faculty, and staff can request items from libraries worldwide for free, including: books, book chapters, microforms, articles, theses, dissertations, audio materials, and videos. Please note that the library does not provide textbooks through interlibrary loan.
Cost
Most requests are free. However, some libraries do charge fees to lend their items. If this is the only option available, we will contact you in advance to see if you are willing to pay the fee. There is no limit to the maximum number of requests you can submit.
Document Delivery
You can request up to 50 pages from Forsyth Library's physical materials to be scanned and delivered to your interlibrary loan account using the ILL platform.
Online Students
Online students can also use ILL to request physical items (from Forsyth Library or ILL lending libraries) to be mailed. The address you use to create your ILLiad account will be the mailing address used to deliver any physical materials. Physical items will be mailed to your personal address at no cost, but you are responsible for paying return shipping back to Forsyth Library. Each item you receive will come with a return label as well as a letter explaining the return process. You can return items one at a time or return multiple items in one box, as long as all items are back by the due date. Returns can be mailed via UPS, USPS or FedEx.
Accessibility Services: Format Conversion
If you need Forsyth Library materials delivered in a specific format, such as a screenreader-friendly PDF, please specify this in the “notes” field of the ILLiad request form.
Loan Period
The loan period is set by the lending library, usually about 3-4 weeks. Additionally:
- There is no grace period on due dates.
- You have to abide by any additional restrictions placed on the use of the item (such as "In-library use only")
- Photocopies of articles are yours to keep
Copyright and Fair Use
We are able to provide document delivery and ILL because of a copyright exception for libraries under US Code Title 17, Section 108. This exception only covers document delivery and ILL for private study, scholarship, and research. There may be other copyright exceptions that cover other uses. Forsyth Library has a copyright guide that provides an overview of the TEACH Act and Fair Use factors, two of the most common copyright exceptions. Please reach out if you have any questions about appropriate use.
Lost or Damaged Items
You will be charged for any lost or damaged items. See full Interlibrary Loan policy
Delivery and Pick Up
Delivery Time
Items are usually received in 7 to 10 days but may take longer. Keep in mind:
- We realize you need your item as soon as possible so we make every effort to get it in the shortest time possible.
- There is no guarantee that your request can be located.
- We cannot accept requests with deadlines.
You will be notified by email when your request arrives. You can also login to your ILLiad account to monitor the progress of each request online.
Where to Pick Up
- Articles: We will send an email to the address affiliated with your ILLiad account. We will deliver the article to you electronically if the library can obtain the article in electronic format and if you have selected electronic delivery as your preference when you registered for ILLiad. To receive articles electronically you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 4.0 or higher) installed on your computer.
- Books and other items: When your ILLiad request is available, we send an email to the address affiliated with your ILLiad account and the item(s) will be available immediately for pick-up at the Welcome Desk. You should pick up items as soon as possible
Renewals and Returns
Renewals
The lending library determines whether or not a book can be renewed and for how long. A renewal is not guaranteed; some lending libraries will not allow renewals. Renewals can be requested through ILLiad or by contacting our department at iloan@fhsu.edu or by calling 785-628-4351.
Returns
You need to return any item borrowed through ILLiad in person to the Welcome Desk. Please do not put ILLiad items in the book drop.
If you have received items through the mail that must be returned, such as books, DVDs or CDs, you are responsible for paying the return postage. Each item you receive will come with a return label as well as a letter explaining the return process. You can return items one at a time or return multiple items in one box, as long as all items are back by the due date. Returns can be mailed via UPS, USPS or FedEx.